Want to keep your mini blinds in tip-top shape and look like new year around? Here are expert-approved tips to clean mini blinds in less than 30 minutes with household supplies, like baking soda, dish soap, vinegar, and dishwashing detergent.
Regular cleaning will maintain the curb appeal and functional potential of your mini blinds at an optimum level.
Cleaning your mini blinds with thin 1-inch horizontal slats does not require strength – it needs delicate handling. Some of the easy, quick, and effective methods to clean mini blinds include dusting with a simple soft cloth, vacuuming with a brush attachment, and washing in soapy water.
One of the simplest and easiest ways to clean mini blind is dry dusting the blinds with a microfiber cloth. For stains, wipe them down slat by slat with a soft cloth soaked in warm soapy water or vinegar.
Scroll on to learn more about how to clean mini blinds.
What Are Mini Blinds?
Mini blinds – also referred to as aluminum blinds – are simple, lightweight, easy to install, easy to clean, and affordable window treatments that use 1” slats that are less than half the width of standard or regular blinds.
In the book “501+ Great Interview Questions for Employers and the Best Answers for Prospective Employees”, the author Dianna Podmoroff claims: “Mini blinds are active and attractive window treatments, but their only disadvantage is that they cannot be cleaned easily”.
7 Easy DIY Methods to Clean Mini Blinds in Less Than 30 Minutes
Here is an easy, DIY procedure to keep your mini blinds for windows in good hygienic condition.
Method 1: Dusting in 5 Minutes
You can use a soft cloth or a microfiber duster to remove loose dust, dirt, or grime from all the slats of the blinds. Start at the top of the window blinds and work your way down. It’ll take just 5 minutes!
Method 2: Vacuuming in 3 to 4 Minutes
The second option to clean your aluminum window treatments is the use of a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment. It will help you to remove any dust and debris from the horizontal slats. However, make sure to vacuum both sides of each slat.
Method 3: Spot Cleaning in 10 to 15 Minutes
If you notice any marks or tough stains on your mini blinds, spot-clean them with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Wring out the cloth thoroughly to avoid making your window blinds too wet.
Method 4: Deep Cleaning in 25 to 30 Minutes
Step 1: Remove your mini blinds from the window and soak them in a bathtub filled with warm water mixed with mild detergent.
Step 2: Keep them soaked for 8 to 10 minutes.
Step 3: Then gently scrub each slat with a soft cloth or brush.
Step 4: After washing, rinse your mini window blinds thoroughly with clean water to remove any soap residue.
Step 5: Hang your mini blinds back up to dry. Ensure to wipe off any excess water with a towel and allow them to completely air dry before lowering them back down.
Step 6: Once the mini window treatments are dry, give them a final dusting with a soft cloth or duster to remove any remaining dust or dirt.
Method 5: Cleaning with a Hairdryer in 5 to 7 Minutes
Set your hairdryer to the cool setting and blow air over each slat of the mini blinds to remove dust and dirt.
Method 6: Steam Cleaning in 8 to 10 Minutes
Use a handheld steam cleaner to clean each slat of your mini blinds. However, make sure to move the steam cleaner slowly over each slat to avoid damaging your blinds.
Method 7: Using a Commercial Blind Cleaner 20 to 25 Minutes
Another way to clean your mini blinds is the use of a commercial blind cleaner. So, purchase a cleaner and follow the instructions on the label to clean your mini blinds with it.
3 Methods to Clean Mini Blinds Without Taking Them Down
Here’re the 3 methods to clean mini blinds without taking them down:
Method 1: Dusting with a Clean Soft Cloth
The best way to clean mini blinds without taking them down is simply dusting them with a simple, clean, soft cloth.
Method 2: Cleaning with Vinegar
White vinegar is a simple everyday home ingredient that can be used for cleaning mini blinds without taking them down and making a mess. While cleaning, leave the blind open and slats tilted at 180-degree angle.
Rub the cloth soaked in vinegar from top to bottom, wiping all the dust or dirt.
Method 3: Cleaning with Soapy Water
Follow these steps to clean your mini blinds with soapy water:
- Step 1: Mix mild dish soap and warm water in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Next, wipe down each slat, front and back, using a soft cloth or sponge.
- Step 3: Once you have wiped down all the slats, use a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove any remaining dust or dirt.
- Step 4: Let them dry for 15 to 20 minutes before closing them or rolling them up.
An Important Precaution When Washing Mini Blinds
If your mini blinds are fitted with a motorized lift system, make sure to remove the electrical apparatus before washing them. After washing is complete, you will need to reinstall it. A motorized lift is a convenient, cordless lift mechanism to raise, lower, and tilt the slats of the mini blinds.
Mini Blinds vs Venetian Blinds – Which One is Easier to Clean?
Aluminum mini blinds and faux wood venetian blinds are quite similar window treatments, as both types are made of horizontal slats and provide you with various decorative and practical benefits. However, they have some structural differences. For example, mini blinds are usually made of thinner 1-inch slats of aluminum. On the other hand, Venetian blinds have 2-inch or wider slats made of vinyl or faux wood. As they are made from aluminum, mini blinds are easier to clean than Venetian blinds. Their small slats also make them easier to clean.
Summing Up
Cleaning mini blinds is not tough, but it requires delicate handling. There are lots of methods to clean your small-slat window treatments, including dusting, vacuuming, spot cleaning, and washing. Regularly cleaning mini blinds will keep them looking like new for a long time.
FAQs
What is the best way to clean dirty mini blinds?
The best way to clean dirty mini blinds is simply wipe them down with a microfiber cloth, starting from the top and working your way down. Wipe them again and vacuum debris with attachment. Make sure to wipe in a downward motion or they could become unhooked.
How do you clean blinds without making a mess?
To avoid making a mess when cleaning your blinds, don’t take them. Wash them while they are hanging on the window.
How do you clean blinds with Dawn?
To clean your blinds with Dawn dishwashing detergent, follow these 3 steps:
- Step 1: Take a capful of the detergent, add a gallon of white vinegar, and shake well.
- Step 2: Then submerged the blinds in this solution.
- Step 3: Swish the blinds around to loosen built-up grime and dust. The detergent will remove the dirt, while the vinegar will cut grease and restore the shine of slats.
- Step 4: To remove tough stains, use Dawn Powerwash Spray.
How do you clean outside mini blinds?
Here are the steps to clean outside mini blinds:
Step 1: Place the dirty blinds in a tub.
Step 2: Fill the tub with warm soapy water and make sure the blinds get fully submerged in it.
Step 3: Soak them for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen the grime.
Step 4: Use old cotton gloves or old washcloths to clean each slat of the blinds by hand.
Step 5: After you have given them a good wipe down, drain the water from the tub.
Step 6: Rinse the blinds with clean water.
Step 7: Hang them somewhere other than the wall to dry or just lay them out on towels on the floor to dry them.
Need More Help?
Still unsure how to clean your mini blinds easily, without making a mess? Get in touch for further DIY cleaning tips now! Use 24/7 live chat or give us a call at (800) 863-6109 to contact our professional cleaners.